Conclusion

The Samsung WB750 is the latest entry in a quick-changing line-up of travel-zoom cameras from the South Korean giant, designed to take on and beat the market-leading Panasonic TZ-series. With a new 12.5 BSI sensor, 18x zoom lens, 1080p movies, full manual controls, 10fps burst shooting and a 3 inch LCD screen, it certainly has all the credentials to compete with its rivals, although unwanted noise and colour desaturation at relatively slow ISO speeds, below average battery life and slow flash recycling times does detract slightly from its overall appeal. We also missed the AMOLED screen and built-in GPS of the older WB650 model, which seem to have been dropped from the WB- range altogether.

The 18x lens raises the bar above its main rival, the Panasonic TZ series, and for this generation Samsung have made the WB design slimmer and lighter, no mean feat given the focal range on offer. You can now fit the WB650 into a trouser pocket, although it's still a tight squeeze, and the 24-432mm optically-stabilized lens proves incredibly useful, as do the Aperture and Shutter Priority modes and the full 1080p HD video with lots of bells and whistles. Only the lack of RAW format support will disappoint the hardcore photographers looking for a more serious backup pocket camera.

Officially priced at £249 / $279, as usual with Samsung the WB750 is fantastic value for money considering its wealth of beginner friendly modes and effects, more sophisticated options for more experienced users, and the compelling combination of that versatile 18x zoom lens, good quality stills, excellent video and refined design. As a carry-everywhere camera that won't break the bank, the new Samsung WB750 makes almost perfect sense.